Electric locomotive



T. ZWELGBiRGK. ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE. APPLICATION FILED MAR 16., 1920.

1,401,575. Patented Deb. 27, 1921.

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ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE. APPLICATION FILED MAR.16,1920.

- ,401,575. Patented Dec. 27', 1921,

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ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE- APPLICATION FILED MAR. 16. 1920.

W 5 1 /4 m 1 j ,M n m Z a m a Z w M W tree stares earner THORSTE-N ZWEIGBERGK, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Dec. 2'7, 1921.-

Application filed March 16, 1920. Serial No. 366,388.

track and which takes curves easily 'athigh speed.

In electric objections'to the common method of mounting the motor with its armature shaft horizontal. In such arrangement of the electric motor the gyrostatic action of the rotor causes resistance to the taking of curves by the locomotive, resulting in undue grinding between the driving wheels and the rails and an excessive pressure between one driving wheel and its rail, and has caused derailments when taking curves at high speed. In such prior devices the motor is frequently disposed between two members of one pair of driving wheels directly on a shaft connected with these wheels. A further objection to this is that of restricted space, since with this arrangement there is room only for a motor of comparatively low power. Moreover the center of gravity of the locomotive with the motor arranged in this manner is low, thereby hindering easy running, and

the unsprung weight on the axle is greater than is desirable, particularly for high speeds. r

Among the important features of my invention are such design and arrangement of the parts that the armature shaft may be mounted vertically above the driving wheel axle instead of horizontally as in the usual manner. Thus I mount electric motors above the driving wheel axlesof a locomotive with the rotors vertical, and employ gearin arranged to transmit power directly from t e rotor to the axle through suitable yielding connections between the body of the locomotive and the driving axle. By this expedientthe amount of power which can be supplied to a pair of driving wheels, may be greatly increased, the center of gravity of the locomotive raised, the unsprung weight on the axle reduced to as low a minilocomotives there are several mum as possible, and injurious influences due to the'gyrostatic action of the rotor re moved. I y y Other features and objects will be herein after more fully described. The essential characteristics of my invention are summarized in the claims. f 1 Y A preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in-the acompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is an elevation of an elec tric locomotive with parts broken away to aid in the disclosure; Fig. 2 is a section through the motor and driving axle connections at right angles to the axle; Fig. 3 isa section through the same mechanism at right angles to that in Fig. 2, that is, showing the driving axle in elevation; Figs. 4L and5 are horizontal sections on corresponding, lines of Fig. 3; and Fig. 6 is a vertical section on the line 66 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings by numerals,

10 designates an electric motor, mountedrin 2.

casing onthe spring supportedbody 11 of an electric locomotive; A motor 10 may be provided for each driving wheel axle'15. having flanged wheels 13 and is mounted with its armature shaft or rotor 12 extending vertically above the driving axle and geared thereto. To allow for relative movement between the body 11 of the locomotive andthe driving wheel axle 15 the mechanical driving connection between the rotor and the-axle is made yielding or flexible.

In the preferred construction the driving connection between the rotor 12 and axle 15 comprises a driven bevel gear 16 disposed in a vertical plane and rigidlyfconnected with the axle 15. Engaging with the gear 16 is a driving bevel gear 17 disposed in a horizontal plane and rotatably mounted in a gear case 20, supported on the axle 15.

r The gear 17 is supported on a Web .18 of a casting comprising an upper portion of the gear casing 20. The central portion of the web 18 preferably rests on axle bearings 14.

Rigid with the web 18 is a central upwardly to oscillate in bushings 28 slidable vertically in guideways 29 in a motor supporting frame 35. The gear 16, the gear 17 and its shaft, the gear case 20 and the frame 27 constitute the only unsprung weight on the axle.

Connected with the hub 32 is a pair of trunnions 38 mounted to oscillate in bearings in a ring 40 comprising top and bottom members bolted together as at 41. At right angles to the trunnions 38 is a similar set of trunnions 42 which are secured to the upper end of the hollow shaft 30 and which oscillate in bearings'in the ring 40. The lower end of the hollow shaft 30 is provided with trunnions 44, extending at right angles to the trunnions 42 and parallel to the trunnions 38 and oscillating in a ring 46 similar to the ring 40. At right angles to the trunnions 44 and parallel to the trunnions 42 is another pair of trunnions 48 oscillating in the ring 46 and connected to the hub 33.

By the universal joint described, and its slidable connection at 25, rotation of the armature shaft 12 is transmitted to the driven shaft 23 within the gear 17, and therefrom to the gear 16 and driving axle 15. By reason of this connection, shocks or jars transmitted to the axle 15 will be taken up or dissipated before reaching the motor within the casing 10.

The armature shaft 12 is mounted within ballbearings in order to overcome obstacles in the way of lubricating ordinary bearings placed in a vertical position. These bear ings may be insulated as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 by conical sheets of insulating material 55 embracing supporting members 52 for the ball races 53, in order to prevent a possible short circuit from passing through theraces 53 and balls 54'which might cause serious pitting of the balls. By reason of the insulation 55, any short circuit that may occur is therefore compelled to go through the universal joint above described and through the gears to the ground.

A double set of bearings is provided at the upper end of therotor, these bearings being so placed in relation to each other that'vertical' and load'thrusts are assumed by'the' upper'large bearing 58, while lateral thrusts are provided against by the lower smaller bearing 59. Furthermore, by means ofjthefintermediate member 52 any con1bination of longitudinal and lateral thrusts may Rigid within the hub 24 ofthegear17is a vertical shaft 23 having a short castel-lated employed as shown adjacent to the bearings at each end of the shaft. 7

Inspection doors 51 may be provided at opposite sides of the casing 35 through which lubricating material may be applied and the condition of the bearing surfaces adjacent to the Cardan shaft may be ob served. The lubrication of the axle bearings 14 is made by the splash of oil from the gear 16. The bearing for the gear 1.7 may be oiled through tube 63 by a small oil pump 61 rotated from a pinion 62 meshing vith the gear 16.

The motor is-ventilated by means of a'fan within a casing 65. The air currententers the motor at the top through pipes 66 and is driven downward through the opening around the dislrshaped member 56 and exhausts through the bottom of the support ing casing 35.

The parts may be quickly assembled or separated. The motor casing 10 may be lifted by hooks engaging eyes 71 secured in the top of the casing. Machine screws '73 may be employed to secure the motor casing 10 and supporting casing 35 together. By removing machine screws 7 4 the end-cap 75 may be removed to expose the end of the shaft and nuts 7 6 thereon, and by removing these nuts and the machine screws 77 the top bearing supporting frame 7 8 may be removed from the motor casing 10. Machine screws "2'9 through a clamping ring 80 serve to hold the top bearing in place within its frame '78. Bolts 81 are shown securing the frame 82 for the lower bearing of the armature shaft to the motor casing and with their removal the motor and the mechanism including the Cal-clan shaft may be separated. Machine screws 87 connect a supporting ring 83 for the lower bearing with the frame 82. The gear casing 20 and the frame 27 having the trunnions 22 are detachably connected as by bolts 84 while the gear case proper comprises two members bolted together as at 85.

From the description above given it will be apparent that the whole construction is compact and yet readily accessible. By positioning the motor vertically above the driving axle its size and power is not limited by the space between wheels, and no gyrost'atic action of the rotor can hinder in; tak

ing of curves by the locomotive. The center of gravity of the motor is raised and the unsprung weight on the axle reduced to a minimum, thus aiding in the easy and light running of the locomotive over the track.

I claim: I

1. In an electric locomotive, a rotor driving shaft, an axle below said shaft, a gear on said axle, a driving gear connected with said gear, a shaft connected with said driving gear and a double universal joint between said shaft and said rotor driving shaft, said universal joint being slidable as a unit with reference to one of the shafts it couples.

2. In an electric locomotive having an axle, a motor having its armature shaft mounted in ball bearings having their outer races insulated, said shaft being geared to said axle.

3. In an electric locomotive, a driving axle, a motor casing, a vertical rotor, bearings for said rotor supported by said casing, gearing between said rotor and said axle, and a dish-shaped member surrounding said rotor below the bearings at one end thereof, whereby oil or grease from said bearings is prevented from entering the motor.

4. In an electric locomotive, a driving axle, driving and driven gears supported by said axle, a vertical shaft secured at its lower end to said driving gear, a rotor, a hub secured to its lower end, a set of trunnions comprising two pairs oscillating at right angles to each other, and a sleeve to provide a shock absorbing connection between said hub and said shaft.

5. In an electric locomotive, a driving axle, driving and driven gears supported by said axle in vertical and horizontal planes respectively, a vertical castellated shaft engaging said driving gear at its lower end, a hub engaging its upper end, a rotor, a second hub secured to its lower end, a hollow shaft and a double set of trunnions, each set comprising two pairs oscillating at right angles to each other, providing a shock absorbing, but non-rotatable connection between said hubs.

6. In an electric locomotive, a driving axle, driving and driven gears, and an inclosing gear case supported by said axle, a vertical shaft having its lower end engaging said driving gear, a hub slidably engaging its upper end, a rotor, a second hub engaging the lower end of said rotor, a hollow shaft around said hubs, two pairs of trunnions at each end of said hollow shaft oscillating in bearings at right angles to each other surrounding said hollow shaft, one pair of trunnions at each end of the hollow shaft being connected thereto and" mounted rotor, a hub surrounding the lower end thereof, a pair of trunnions projectmg from diametrically opposite sides of said hub, said trunnions being adapted to oscillate in bearings, a ring containing said trunnion bearings, a hollow shaft surrounding said hub within sald ring, a second pair of trunnions securedto said hollow shaft and projecting at'right angles to the first pair and oscillating in bearings in said ring, said hollow shaft having a slidable but non-rotatable connection with a driving gear, and a driven-gear meshing therewith and secured on a driving axle. V

8. In'an electric locomotive, a spring supported body, a motor, and a supporting casing therefor secured to said body, said motor having a vertically arranged rotor, a driving axle, flanged wheels on the ends thereof, a gear case supported in bearings on said axle between said wheels, a driven gear secured to said axle, a driving gear supported by said gear case meshing with said driven gear, a vertical shaft secured to said driving gear and a universal joint in said supporting casing slidably connecting said rotor and said shaft, and a sliding connection between said supporting casing and said gear case. V

9. In an electric locomotive, a rotor having a slidable and oscillatable but non-rotatable connection with a driving gear, a driven gear meshing therewith on'a driving axle, and a gear case surrounding said gear supported by said axle, a casing for the rotor and means connecting said casing and gear case together by surfaces which allow independent vertical movement but prevent rotative movement of the gear case about the wheel axis. g

10. In an electric. locomotive, a spring supported body, a casing thereon, a motor mounted on said casing having a vertical shaft, an axle, gear mechanism supported on said axle, said gear mechanismand said motor shaft being slid-ably connected to rotate together, a casing for said gear mechanism, said casings being connected together by two pairs of surfaces and a pair of members each operating between the two sur faces of the corresponding pair, said surfaces being carried by one of the casings and the members bythe other.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto afiix my signature.

THORSTEN ZWEIGBERGK. 

